Cultivating Accessible Agriculture- Understanding the National AgrAbility Project adn the Impacts of Arthritis as a Disability in Agriculture

Summary

The National AgrAbility Project is a USDA-sponsored program that assists farmers, ranchers, their families and other agricultural professionals with disabilities. The AgrAbility Project is led by Purdue University, the Arthritis Foundation and Goodwill Industries International.

The Arthritis Foundation is leading the way in improving the lives of those in the agricultural industry through the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and its 100 related diseases. Fifty million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis.

The presentation will increase awareness of arthritis prevalence in agricultural occupations, identify activities on the farm that may escalate the severity of arthritis, and to promote methods of prevention and control, including pain management. Free “Arthritis and Agriculture” and AgrAbility materials will accompany the session and will serve as resources for future community educational opportunities. Presentation topics will include, but are not limited to, working with machinery, livestock husbandry and management, healthy eating, exercise, outdoor recreation, equestrian activities and lawn care.

Essential information will also be provided about how AgrAbility operates and how to access AgrAbility services. Many people can benefit from what AgrAbility has to offer, including: •onsite visits and case management services for individuals in states that have an AgrAbility Project (currently in 25 states)•information and referral services for those in states that don’t have AgrAbility Projects•a multitude of resources, including an online assistive technology database •5- and 20- minute videos with interviews of AgrAbility clients